TV Replay Confirms Touchdown

A turnover that became a touchdown was officially confirmed by television for the first time in an NFL game Saturday night during the Dallas Cowboys’ 27-24 overtime victory over the San Diego Chargers.

It was the first in a series of eight exhibition games in which videotape replays will be used experimentally to double-check the officials’ calls on non-penalty plays involving possession of the ball.

Early in the third quarter, Cowboy fullback Norm Granger caught a swing pass from Gary Hogeboom and was immediately leveled by linebacker Vernon Maxwell. Linebacker Mike Green scooped up the ball and ran 43 yards for a Charger touchdown.

The observer in the press box at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium ruled the pass was indeed complete and the ball was up for grabs.

The NFL Competition Committee will review the results of the experiments following the regular season and will submit a report at the league’s annual meeting in March 1986.